New York Jets wide receiver Corey Davis retires from professional football at 28, citing injuries and personal reasons. A look at his career journey from college records to NFL challenges
New York Jets wide receiver Corey Davis has decided to call it quits on his professional football career in an announcement that has surprised Jets fans. Davis made the announcement in a heartfelt post on his Instagram handle. Aged 28 and having played six seasons in the NFL, Davis had struggled in the last few months of his career to make an impact on the team, owing to frequent injuries and ‘personal issues’.
Davis mentioned how he had contemplated this decision for quite some time. He said that ‘stepping away’ felt like the right decision for him, thanking his former team for their support. Robert Saleh, the Jets' head coach, stated that the team was aware of Davis' planned retirement and that "he always has a family here."
A look at his six year long career
College career
Corey Davis made his foray into football when he started playing in his freshman year for Western Michigan. He set a school freshman record with 67 receptions for 941 yards in 2013. In his sophomore year, Davis achieved 78 receptions for 1,408 yards and 15 touchdowns. In 2015, Davis recorded 90 receptions for 1,436 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior.
On November 25, 2016, against the Toledo Rockets, Davis broke the all-time Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) receiving yardage record.
NFL career
He entered professional football when he was signed by the Tennessee Titans in 2017 as the fifth overall pick in the draft. He spent four years with Tennessee, putting up his best numbers in 2020: 65 receptions, 984 yards, and five touchdowns. Davis had amassed 207 receptions for 2,851 yards and 11 touchdowns in 56 games over his first four seasons in Tennessee.
Davis's career took a new turn as he was signed by the New York Jets in 2021 as a free agent for a three-year, $37.5 million contract. However, his career did not turn out as expected for such an expensive recruit. He was rarely healthy during his two-year tenure with the New York Jets. He missed eight games in 2021 due to a groin issue for which he underwent surgery. He missed out on four games in 2022 due to an injured knee. By the time he announced his surprise retirement, he had only bagged 66 receptions for 1,028 yards and six touchdowns.
Despite possessing immense talent and confidence, frequent injuries hampered the rise of the talented wide receiver. With the Jets having signed veterans like Aaron Rodgers and Garrett Wilson this season, Davis was poised to have contributed considerably to the team as it eyed a Super Bowl this season.